Building bridges: A European perspective on interprofessional education, practice, policy and research.

This book seeks to build bridges across hitherto siloed work in the vibrant field of interprofessional science. With a focus on the European continent, conceptual and empirical endeavours in interprofessional education, practice, research, and policy are sutured together in a unique and timely book. Contributors from across Europe, academicians and clinicians in equal merit, tackle the most pressing and exciting issues in what is to become a landmark moment in this young field of science. 

The book is structured over 20 chapters, each serving a distinct conceptual and/or practical purpose. Initially, the editors position the book in contemporary debates making the case for its significance and need in this point in time. They seek out conceptual developments across education, practice, research and policy silos; and synthesise these into a model of interprofessionalism that is fit to drive the next generation of European initiatives. The chapters that follow each have a specific, complimentary but distinct focus on the issues that challenge and excite the field; from practical developments, to cutting edge innovations, and forward-looking concerns on sustainability and planetary health. Key threads from each chapter are revisited in the book epilogue, sketching out lessons learned and developing a roadmap to guide future developments. 

This book is itself a bridging project; a driver and a device through which to foster a stronger community of interprofessional champions: clinicians, educators, researchers, and policy makers. Champions that can challenge the status quo and bring about the radical changes needed in health professions education, practice, research, and policy; in Europe and beyond.

Timeline:

• This is an 18 month project, with 12 months allowed for chapter development for a provisional delivery date of Summer 2024.
• Chapter contributors will be supported, as they wish, by an experienced editor throughout the project.
• Guidance will be issued including a suggested structure for the chapters.
• Peer review and editorial feedback will be provided with opportunity for revisions towards a final draft by Summer 2024.

Working approach:

• We seek to foster a process of collaborative working with opportunities for networking and learning from, with, and about each other in the different countries in Europe.
• An experienced editor will be available to support each authoring team as required.
• Online meetings will be organised to allow the different authoring teams to connect, learn about each other’s work, and receive guidance on collaborative writing by experienced facilitators.

Editors:

Dr Andreas Xyrichis, Dr Maria Kvarnström, Dr Marion Huber, Dr Cornelia Mahler

Disclosures:

This book project is commissioned and funded by the Pan European Academy for Interprofessional Science, an academic and non-profit initiative dedicated to the advancement of collaborative approaches in education, practice, and research in health across Europe.